Nursing Case Study Sample-Public Policy and Health advocacy
Health Policy and Social Program Evaluation
Name
Affiliation
Course code
Supervisor
Date
Stakeholders to be engaged by APRN
Among the stakeholders to be engaged are the Nurses, the community leaders, donors who shall
fund the program, nursing board of the hospital and the local administration
Evaluation Method and Data to be shared
The evaluation method that will be used is Pre- and post-testing which entails evaluation
performed subsequent to the implementation of the intervention of the program. The main aim
will be to assess the alterations or results arising from the intervention in relation to the baseline
set during pre-testing (Khushi et al., 2021). Post-testing will also allow donors to assess the
efficacy of therapies, track participants' progress longitudinally, and make evidence-based
decisions. Pre and post-testing collectively establish a dynamic framework for the donor
evaluation, providing insights into the efficacy of interventions and aiding evidence-based
decision-making (Castro et al., 2020). It will also be important to examine the methodology,
relevance, and applications of pre and post-testing, emphasizing on its crucial role in knowledge
generation and the promotion of favorable outcomes across many fields.
The significance of pre-testing is in its capacity to create a baseline and furnish critical
context for assessing the efficacy of interventions, programs, or therapies. Conducting
evaluations prior to the deployment of an intervention provides researchers with critical insights
about the original state or condition of participants or variables being examined. A primary
reason pre-testing is essential is its function in creating a baseline. This baseline functions as a
reference point for precise measurement of changes. In the absence of a baseline, it is difficult to
assess the degree to which an intervention has impacted outcomes or behaviors. Pre-testing
enables researchers to measure the initial condition, establishing a reference point for
comparison in post-testing. Moreover, pre-testing will also assist the APRN and the donors to
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recognize any discrepancies or variations among patients prior to the intervention. This
information is crucial for comprehending the variability within the beneficiaries and customizing
interventions to meet specific needs or obstacles (Khushi et al., 2021). By acknowledging these
differences in advance, researchers can develop interventions that are better attuned to the needs
of various individuals or groups within the population. Furthermore, pre-testing will also allow
the donors to forecast results and anticipate the possible impacts of interventions depending on
participants' beginning conditions (Castro et al., 2020). By comprehending the baseline attributes
of individuals, the APRN can formulate informed predictions regarding anticipated changes
following the intervention. This predictive capacity can enhance decision-making and resource
distribution, directing the execution of interventions in a more focused, and efficient way.
The significance of pre-testing in evaluation is paramount. It supplies the essential data
required to evaluate the effects of the program, recognize discrepancies, and formulate healthcare
forecasts regarding outcomes. Pre-testing establishes a baseline and provides critical context, so
facilitating evidence-based decision-making and enhancing the effectiveness of interventions
designed to improve outcomes for individuals and communities. Pre-testing involves diverse
approaches designed to meet the specific aims of the intervention. These approaches aim to
collect data on the baseline status of participants or variables prior to the execution of any
intervention (Khushi et al., 2021). A prevalent practice in pre-testing entails the distribution of
surveys and questionnaires. These instruments allow researchers to gather data on participants'
attitudes, beliefs, actions, or knowledge pertinent to the funding aims. Surveys and
questionnaires will also be organized, facilitating the acquisition of quantitative or qualitative
data based on study requirements (Castro et al., 2020). Psychological assessments will be a tool
in pre-testing, especially within psychological research. These assessments are standardized
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evaluations intended to gauge different facets of cognitive functioning, personality
characteristics, emotional conditions, or other psychological categories. By conducting
psychological assessments prior to the intervention, the APRN will also collect baseline data on
participants' psychological traits for comparison with post-intervention results. Observational
studies will also have an additional methodology employed in pre-testing, entailing the
systematic observation of participants' activities or interactions within naturalistic environments.
The APRN will employ direct observation techniques, video recordings, or alternative
observational methods to record participants' activities, social interactions, or environmental
characteristics pertinent to the research aims. Observational studies yield significant insights into
the baseline behaviors or dynamics of the research population, guiding the design and execution
of interventions.
Additionally, pre-testing approaches may encompass interviews, focus groups, or other
qualitative research techniques designed to elicit participants' viewpoints, experiences, or
narratives pertinent to the research issue (Khushi et al., 2021). Qualitative approaches enhance
quantitative data gathering methods by offering profound insights into participants' views,
attitudes, and contextual elements that affect research outcomes. The approaches for pre-testing
are varied and tailored to the unique objectives and needs of the research or intervention (Khushi
et al., 2021). The primary objective, regardless of whether surveys, psychological assessments,
observational studies, or qualitative methods are utilized, is to collect baseline data that will
guide the evaluation of interventions and support evidence-based decision-making. Utilizing
suitable pre-testing procedures enables researchers to create a robust framework for evaluating
the effects of treatments and enhancing outcomes for individuals and groups.
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Ethical considerations
The ethical consideration for APRN will be beneficence which denotes the obligation of
healthcare practitioners to work in the best interests of their patients. This idea involves
enhancing the patient's well-being and health by administering therapies to alleviate pain,
prevent harm, and promote health (Yeoman et al., 2020). This concept is fundamental to
healthcare ethics, requiring the APRN to evaluate the potential benefits and detriments of each
decision involving patient care and to advocate for activities they deem most beneficial for the
patient. The difficulty with this concept lies in determining what is advantageous for each
patient. Healthcare practitioners must understand and contemplate each patient's unique goals,
requirements, and experiences prior to taking action. Understanding a patient's background,
religious convictions, and life experiences may facilitate the identification of optimal care for
them. Minor variables can significantly influence a patient's comfort and the efficacy of
treatment (Yeoman et al., 2020). Beneficence will also serve as a framework rather than a
directive. Beneficence guarantees that the healthcare provider will propose the optimal treatment
alternatives for the patient, considering their concerns and preferences.
Communication strategies
A recommended method is formal communication, as it is essential for addressing
delicate topics, such as a patient's health. This entails eschewing medical terminology to provide
comprehensibility for all individuals (Rehman & Sohail, 2023). The primary rationale for the
necessity of strong communication skills in healthcare is to safeguard the health and safety of
patients. Nonetheless, this can be deconstructed into smaller contributing elements. Patient care
is reciprocal; thus, comprehending the patient's perspective is equally vital as possessing a
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medical expertise. Personal needs may pertain to religious or dietary constraints (Rehman &
Sohail, 2023). For example, it may also encompass comprehending a patient's emotional
condition, which could be exacerbated by the new medical setting. Listening to a patient is
equally as crucial as providing information.
Unintended consequence of evaluation
In program evaluation, the unintended consequence will look at the impacts of an
intervention that differ from its planned objectives. Such consequences may be positive, yielding
supplementary advantages; negative, inflicting harm on the patients directly or indirectly
affected; or neutral. Some consequences can be anticipated before implementation, whilst others
are inherently unpredictable (Carbone, 2020). Unintended outcomes are typically perceived as
results of error or ignorance, indicating a deficiency in control. Consequently, policy-makers
often dismiss or overlook their existence. Improved planning informed by pertinent knowledge is
presumed to mitigate unexpected outcomes (Carbone, 2020). Nonetheless, unexpected
consequences of social development programs do not invariably arise from mistakes or lack of
knowledge. Interventions are subsystems inside a broader system, comprising human people and
functioning in socially, economically, and politically dynamic situations, where they engage with
other subsystems and the overarching system (Carbone, 2020). These intricate relationships yield
outcomes that are frequently absent from the initial program objectives or may be completely
unpredictable. Consequently, unintended effects are intrinsic to any intentional effort to effect
change.
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Leveraging on Trustworthiness
One of the quickest methods to erode confidence is through dishonesty, ambiguity, or
inconsistency. To negotiate and influence effectively, the APRN should maintain transparency
and consistency in speech and behavior (Szumlas, 2013). This entails disseminating pertinent
information, elucidating your reasoning, acknowledging your errors, and adhering to your
commitments. It is essential to synchronize your words and actions, avoiding the conveyance of
ambiguous messages or altering your stance without justifiable cause.
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References
Carbone, M. (2020). Purposefully triggering unintended consequences. Unintended
Consequences of EU External Action, 45-59.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429327001-4
Castro, E. M., Van Regenmortel, T., Vanhaecht, K., Sermeus, W., Kiekens, C., Claes, K., &
Bruyneel, L. (2020). Effect of an intervention on the congruence of nurses' and
patients' perceptions of patient‐centred care: A pre‐test post‐test study. Journal of
Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 26(6), 1648-1656. https://doi.org/10.1111/jep.13348
Khushi, P., Janu, R. K., & Dolma, L. (2021). The effectiveness of structured teaching
programme (Stp) on Knowlegde regarding medication error and its prevention among
staff nurses working in a selected hospital Bangalore: Pre experimental (One group
pre-test post-test design) and evaluative research approach.
https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-830676/v1
Rehman, U., & Sohail, A. (2023). Exploring the role of verbal and non-verbal
communication skills of nursing in patients healing. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-
3376906/v1
Szumlas, S. (2013). Leveraging staff nurse engagement to design effective patient care
assignments. Nurse Leader, 11(2), 46-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2012.12.001
Yeoman, K., Fahnert, B., Lea-Smith, D., & Clarke, T. (2020). Ethical considerations.
Microbial Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1093/hesc/9780198822813.003.0011
